Google officially launched its 2026 hardware lineup today, August 12, at the Made by Google event in New York. The announcements included the Pixel 11 smartphone series, the Pixel Watch 5, and a new item tracker called the Pixel Tag. These new devices highlight Google's continued focus on integrating its Gemini AI across its product ecosystem to offer more personalized and proactive user assistance.
The Pixel 11 series, which includes the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold, is powered by Google's new Tensor G6 chipset. This new chip is manufactured on TSMC's 3nm process, aiming for improved efficiency and performance. All Pixel 11 models will ship with Android 16. Pre-orders for the Pixel 11 series opened today, August 12, at 7 AM Pacific.
The standard Pixel 11 now features a dedicated telephoto lens, aligning its camera capabilities more closely with the Pro models. It includes a larger 48MP wide sensor, offering increased light sensitivity and a wider field of view. The Tensor G6 enables a 30x Super Res Zoom with the 5x telephoto lens. The Pixel 11 also supports 25W Qi2.2 wireless charging, a 25% increase in speed from its predecessor. The base model Pixel 11 will start at $899 for 256GB of storage, with 128GB models no longer available. It comes in Frost, Obsidian, Hibiscus, and Pistachio colors.
The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL models introduce "HiLight," a ring of ambient LEDs built around the camera flash on the edge-to-edge Camera Bar. This feature provides visual feedback for notifications and Gemini interactions, similar to the Google Home Speaker. The Pro models also boast an updated Pro Res Zoom, capable of reaching up to 120x. The Pixel 11 Pro starts at $1,099 for the 256GB model, while the Pixel 11 Pro XL sees a $100 price increase across all storage options, starting at $1,299 for 256GB. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold also has a $100 price increase across its storage options, starting at $1,899 for 256GB.
Google also launched the Pixel Watch 5, a refined version of its predecessor. The Pixel Watch 5 incorporates new features such as a workout builder app, weight and rep tracking, and audio cues with a rest timer. It also includes a new Bedtime mode with a dedicated watch face and Smart Wake Alarm, alongside new generative watch faces. The watch is designed to offer personalized, proactive assistance through Gemini Intelligence, providing quick replies to texts and recalling details like addresses directly from the wrist. Offline Gemini support allows for voice control of timers and workouts without a connection. The Pixel Watch 5 will be available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, with a starting price of $399. It will be in stores starting August 20.
A new hardware addition is the Google Pixel Tag, an item tracker designed to compete with existing market offerings. The Pixel Tag is an oblong-shaped device weighing 11.8 grams and is available in a Fog color. It features an IP67 water and dust resistance rating and uses Ultra Wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth 6.0+ for connectivity. The device has a replaceable coin cell battery and a built-in speaker. It integrates with Google's Find Hub app, allowing users to track items precisely. The Pixel Tag is compatible with Android phones running Android 9 or newer and can be shared with up to 10 people. Left-behind alerts are also a feature, notifying users if they leave an item behind. The Pixel Tag will not be available for purchase until November.
Gemini, Google's AI assistant, continues to be a central element across the new devices. Google has been expanding Gemini's capabilities throughout 2026, integrating it across Search, Android, Workspace, Chrome, and Pixel devices. This includes features like personalized AI search, deeper integration within Workspace, and new AI-powered features for Pixel users.